Cosmo Lang: Archbishop in War and Crisis

Description

The period 1928-1942 saw some of the greatest political and social upheavals in modern British history. Lang, as Archbishop of Canterbury, led the Church of England through this tumultuous period and was a pivotal influence in political and religious decision-making. In this book, Robert Beaken provides a new perspective on Lang, including his considerable relationship with the royal family. Beaken also shows how Lang proved to be a sensitive leader during wartime, opposing any demonisation of the enemy and showing compassion to conscientious objectors. Despite his central role at a time of flux, there has been little written on Lang since the original biography published in 1949, and history has not been kind to this intellectually gifted but emotionally complex man. Although Lang has often been seen as a fairly unsuccessful archbishop who was resistant to change, Beaken shows that he was, in fact, an effective leader of the Anglican community at a time when the Church of England was internally divided over issues surrounding the Revised Prayer Book and its position in an ever-changing world. Lang's reputation is therefore ripe for reassessment.
Drawing on previously unseen material and first-hand interviews, Beaken tells the story of a fascinating and complex man, who was, he argues, Britain's first 'modern' Archbishop of Canterbury.

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About Author

Robert Beaken is parish priest of St Mary the Virgin, Great Bardfield and St Katharine, Little Bardfield in Essex. He holds a PhD from King's College London.

Contents

List of Illustrations Foreword by Rowan Williams Acknowlegements Note on Conventions 1 Introduction 2 From Fyvie to Lambeth: The Making of an Archbishop 3 The Archbishopric of Canterbury Between the Wars 4 Lang and the Monarchy 5 Lang and the Abdication Crisis 6 Lang and the Revised Prayer Book, 1928-1942 7 The Second World War 8 Lang's Last Days Appendices 1 'Cosmo Gordon Lange': Spoof Who's Who Entry 2 'Past and Present': Lang's Abdication Broadcast, 10 December 1936 Glossary Short Biographies Notes Bibliography and Broadcast Sources Index